My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT R. KNOWLES. As one of the prominent business men of Xenia and a citizen held in high esteem, Mr. Knowles is worthy of special mention. He was educated in the profession of law, but is now proprietor of the Pioneer drug-store, which is located at No. 33 East Main Street. He has been a resident of this county since 1880, and has made for himself a good record in the line of trade, and as a member of the community.

Mr. Knowles is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born at Williamsport Station, Deer Creek Township, Pickaway County, March 14, 1855. His father, Robert Knowles, a native of Sussex County, Del., came on horseback to Ohio when a youth of nineteen years, and for a time was engaged in buying horses for the East. He finally decided to turn his attention to farming, and purchased, at $7 per acre, a tract of timberland in Deer Creek Township. The following year, at the age of twenty, he was married to Miss Emeline Rector, of Pickaway County. The bride was a maiden of fifteen years, and they became acquainted while attending a country school, and she pursued her studies thereat after her marriage.

The young couple in due time settled in a log cabin on their land, but subsequently removed to another farm, upon which they made their home for a period of twenty-three years. They finally removed to Ft. Scott, Kan., but in 1875 returned to Pickaway County, Ohio, whence later they went back to Kansas and settled in Eldorado, where the father engaged in stock-raising and where they still live. The elder Knowles from the time of his majority until 1860, affiliated with the Democratic party, then wheeled into the Republican ranks, where he remained until 1872. At that time his warm interest in the temperance movement led him to identify himself with the Prohibitionists, and he now gives his support to this party. He and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Knowles formerly officiated as Class-Leader, and was a chief pillar. The nine children born to them are all living, presenting an interesting family group unbroken as yet by the destroying hand of death.

The subject of this notice remained a member of the parental household until 1875, acquiring his education in Ft. Scott, Kan., and Xenia, Ohio. For two years he taught school in his native county, and later attended the Normal School at Xenia. After the removal of the family to Kansas he studied law at Eldorado, and was admitted to the bar at Wichita in June, 1880. In Xenia he afterward read law with Messrs. Nesbitt & Martin, and after passing a thorough examination in the Supreme Court at Columbus, was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio, which he followed in Xenia for two years. Later he was awarded the contract of compiling the index of land records of Greene County, at which he was occupied four years, completing, in 1887, a fine set of Indices. After this he engaged in the drug business, and this being really more congenial to his tastes, he purchased, in July following, his present business, in which he has built up an extensive and lucrative trade. He is a sound Republican, politically, and for two years was Chairman of the Republican Central Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. Otherwise he has held aloof from the responsibilities of office. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Chapter, and he is also identified with the Red Men. In his religious views he coincides with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he is connected in Xenia.

The subject of this notice was united in wedlock with Miss Mary J. Stevenson, May 13, 1880. This lady was born in Xenia Township June 20, 1858, and is the daughter of James S. and Jane (Knox) Stevenson, who are numbered among the pioneer settlers of Greene County. The mother is now deceased and the father resides in Greene County. The three children born to our subject and his wife were named respectively: James Robert, Helen and Lester. They form a bright and interesting trio, and are being trained and educated in a manner suitable to their position in life. The family residence is pleasantly located at No. 332, Fast Market Street, of the city, and Mr. and Mrs. Knowles occupy a good position among the best social elements of Xenia and vicinity.